New Google Search Features: Online Estimates Filter and “Have AI Check Prices” — what does this mean for service pros?
Google has recently started rolling out new pricing-related features in local home service search, and they could impact how service businesses get discovered. Two early changes we’re seeing: “Online estimates” filter Google is beginning to surface an Online estimates filter in some home service searches. Early signs suggest businesses that provide clear, machine-readable pricing or instant estimates may be favored over generic contact forms. “Have AI check prices” or “Ask AI for Pricing” feature Google is also testing an AI feature that gathers pricing on a homeowner’s behalf by using AI to call businesses and collect price quotes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=illIa8LSfY0 These features are still new and evolving, but they raise big questions about pricing transparency, estimates, and local search visibility. We’re curious: Have you noticed either of these features in your area yet? Do you currently show pricing or estimate ranges online? Do changes like this make you rethink how you approach pricing and Google visibility? Would love to hear what service pros are seeing so far 👇4 wheel drive and winter tires.
In my past jobs I was always provided a work truck. All companies would buy the standard Chevy Colorado 2 door WT, rear wheel drive and all weather tires. If there was a bad snow storm, sometimes I couldn't even get out of my driveway! Funny thing is, back then I didn't care, I was an employee and if I can't make it safely, it was the companies problem to figure out. Now that I have started my own business I have decided that I would buy a 4 wheel drive truck and install winter tires. I want to be available to my customers no matter what the weather and I don't want any excuses. I feel I can safely make it to a home or business no matter the weather and I think that is going to make me stand out to customers. I know that not all businesses have cold weather problems to deal with but in Ontario where I live and operate, I think being ready for winter is very important. If anyone is thinking about purchasing a work vehicle, and live in a snowy area, I would highly recommend making the investment in a 4 wheel drive vehicle with good tires!Why I Stopped Chasing Jobs and Started Building Systems
Early in my career I equated motion with progress. AKA: Rocking chair syndrome. If the phone rang, I was winning. If my schedule was full, I was successful. But all that movement was just noise. I was busy, not effective. The shift came when I started documenting everything! How calls were answered, how quotes were written and how materials were ordered. Once I built systems, my business stopped depending on how many hours I worked and started depending on how well I led. Systems create predictability. Predictability builds trust. Trust builds freedom. Stop being the technician who holds it all together with duct tape. Be the leader who builds a machine that runs smoothly, even when you step away. Have questions? Message me!What’s your best “DIY hack” you’ve used to run your business?
When I first started my business over 19 years ago, estimates meant pen, paper, and carbon copies—rip the top page for the customer, keep the yellow one for myself. That was just the way it was back then, and it worked. Trips to Staples were the norm! But as I think about it, over the years I’ve also come up with plenty of little “DIY hacks” to keep things running when resources were tight or when I didn’t have the systems I do now. Some of those scrappy fixes actually held up surprisingly well! I bet most of you have similar stories— What’s the best “DIY hack” you’ve used to run your business? Maybe it was how you scheduled jobs, tracked expenses, did marketing, or just stayed organized before you had tools like Jobber. Sometimes those old-school solutions are just as clever as the technology we use today. Can’t wait to hear yours!Has Anyone Here Built Their Own GPT Yet? Or Just Using ChatGPT Like Google?
Hey everyone just curious where the community stands with AI right now. I’ve seen a lot of folks using ChatGPT to look stuff up (like Google 2.0), but I’m wondering if anyone here has gone deeper? Has anyone tried to build or train their own GPT yet? Or customized prompts/workflows to actually support your day-to-day? We’ve been working on building a custom GPT model trained on contractor logic — estimating, soft skills, job-site communication, pricing, SOPs, etc. For our company now, instead of broad knowledge. I see huge value in contractors having their own smart assistant, not just a chatbot. Something that speaks the language of our company. Is that something you’d use or find helpful? Curious to hear what direction you guys are taking.How I Finally Delegated Estimating (Without Hiring Another Person)
For years, estimating was the one thing I couldn’t take off my plate. We changed the org chart. We hired roles. Delegated everything we could. But estimating? That was always me. Even if I wasn’t doing anything else in the business... I was still stuck quoting jobs. It was the bottleneck I couldn’t fix—until now. I built a ChatGPT-powered estimator trained with my systems, my pricing, and my language. It asks the right questions, runs the math, and delivers estimates like I would—without me being involved. Now I’m no longer the bottleneck. Customers get quick answers. I get my evenings and weekends back. Want to build your own? Map out your estimating logic. Plug it into ChatGPT. Test and refine. If you're stuck working all day and doing estimates at night and on Saturdays anddddd, sometimes even Sunday mornings when everyone's sleeping—this might be your way out. Heres my direct Zoom link if you'd like to learn more: https://calendly.com/ryaan-besthandymancompany/bh-plan-phone-consultation
For anyone doing it on the side
So I run my business on the side of my full time job, unfortunately I don't have enough work to go full time so I use it as a side hustle. My question is to anyone who runs the business on the side or has worked like this, how do you know when to quit your day job and go full time? Is it even possible to grow if I can run the admin side when I'm off work and just have a tech I can hire do the work?The Importance of Proper Planning in New Construction and Home Improvement Projects
Embarking on a new construction or home improvement project can be an exciting venture, but without proper planning, it can quickly become a costly and time-consuming ordeal. One of the most critical aspects of this planning involves understanding the timelines and requirements associated with land surveying and permit acquisition. Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays In the land surveying industry, turnaround times for documents can vary significantly depending on the time of year and current demand. It is essential to plan ahead and allow for a lead time of anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks for surveying and the creation of permit or plot plans. This time frame ensures that all necessary details are accurately captured and processed. Understand the Approval Process For projects that require recorded maps, such as those needing county approval and recording, the process can take even longer. Typically, this approval and recording can take a minimum of 2 to 3 months. Being aware of these timelines can help you plan your project more effectively and avoid unexpected delays. Get Accurate Quotes and Timelines When seeking quotes for land surveying services, it is crucial to obtain detailed turnaround times and to ask when the final documents will be ready for delivery. Some surveyors may promise quick fieldwork, but the actual mapping and documentation might take significantly longer. Ensure you are comparing apples to apples when evaluating quotes from different providers. This means understanding not just the cost, but also the scope of work and the time required to complete all necessary tasks. By properly planning your new construction or home improvement project, you can avoid unnecessary costs and wasted time. Being aware of the various stages and timelines involved in land surveying and permit acquisition allows you to make informed decisions and keep your project on track. Remember, the key to a successful project is not just in starting strong but also in ensuring every step is meticulously planned and executed. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the land surveying process.
